Music Festival
Valandovo is known for its annual music festival in which the best folk singers from Macedonia take part. The first festival started as a result of the continuity of the rich and long musical tradition of this region. It was held in 1985 and became a new tradition promoted from its very beginning. For over 20 years now, the festival has presented valuable music and has gained great national significance.
The chief organisers of the festival faced some problems and difficulties from the humble beginnings but nevertheless they never gave up on their idea. The festival was quickly accepted by audiences.
In 1989, a summer festival stage with 1,200 seats was built and all performances from 1985 – 89 were broadcast on television and so seen by 30,000 people. Valandovo musical production has issued 35 audio-cassettes, records and video-cassettes.
In 1993, the festival was held in Sydney, Australia.
The FOLK FEST has been admitted to FIDOV – the World Federation of Festival Organisations, with its head office in Los Angeles, USA. This membership enables a worldwide presentation of both Macedonia and the festival. The festival has also received several awards, among others one by Deutsche Welle, a German radio station, for special achievements among our immigrants.
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Famous quotes containing the words music and/or festival:
“Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory.”
—Thomas Beecham (1879–1961)
“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose: at the festival of unleavened bread, at the festival of weeks, and at the festival of booths. They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed; all shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Deuteronomy 16:16,17.